Psychoanalytic theory assumes that psychological problems are part of the unconscious mind. Hence, symptoms of mental problems originate from hidden prior experiences of an individual. Unresolved negative experiences result in psychological problems during later stages of development. They could cause trauma and depression. The main aim of psychological intervention is to tackle the suppressed memories and emotions of an individual to conscious state so that a person can handle them effectively.
Psychoanalytic intervention aims to show how repressed experiences have negative effects on the current relationships, behaviors, and emotions of an individual. The theory traces also negative experiences to their previous causes (Feist and Feist, 2009).
Description of reliability
Several studies have focused on the application of psychoanalytic theory in order to establish its reliability. This involves the continued use of psychoanalytic concepts in neuroscience and psychoanalysis processes. These scholars apply similar scientific procedures of psychoanalytic theory in treatments in order to produce similar results in their mental patient outcomes.
As a result, the use of psychoanalytic theory has been widespread in understanding human consciousness. The available scientific studies and the use of such evidence in other therapeutic treatments prove that psychoanalytic interventions are reliable. Reliable tools of measurement shows reliability of psychoanalytic theory.
Description of validity
The continued usages of psychoanalytic theory in neuroscience and therapeutic interventions show that theory is valid. Hence, Freud’s concepts of unconscious and conscious mind are valid in human psychology. Moreover, there are scientific studies to support the validity of psychoanalytic theory (Bradley and Westen, 2005). As a result, the theory has continued to be useful in understanding human psychology and comprehending basic or repressed experiences.
One can observe outcomes psychoanalytic interventions in expressions, behaviors, and languages of patients. Interpretations of these outcomes prove the validity of psychoanalytic theory. However, it is not clear whether there are adequate standards for interpreting patient outcomes.
Application of psychoanalytic theory
Psychologists have used psychoanalytic theory in treating anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, traumatic experiences, and stress disorders among others (Svartberg and Stiles, 1991). Social workers also apply the same techniques to manage psychological conditions of their clients. They trace such challenges from childhood to adulthood to allow clients to deal with them successfully.
Psychologists have applied psychoanalytic intervention in specific anxiety disorders, or they have applied the intervention in cases where other forms of interventions are not effective.
Psychoanalytic theory is also applicable in managing depression. They relate depression to previous experiences in childhood and help the client to adapt to their current situations.
Individual Psychological Theory
Description of Assumptions
Individual psychological theory makes several assumptions. However, the core assumption is the holism and uniqueness of an individual person. This is holistic psychology, which implies that psychologists must understand an individual as a complete whole. Hence, the theory does not divide an individual into small units or behaviors, but focuses on all integrated aspects of human interaction.
The theory also posits that an individual experiences the world phenomena in unique ways. Consequently, the individual psychological theory has become a theory of use because it focuses on individuals’ responsibilities, actions, and interpretation of their actions.
The theory also assumes social connections, purposeful behaviors, social equality, mutual respect, love and affection, and cultural orientations among others.
Reliability of the theory
Some critics have noted that Adler had a habit of altering his theory on several occasions in order to match various personalities. As a result, it is difficult to establish the reliability of such a theory. Nevertheless, he concluded that there was one drive or motivating force behind every behavior, which was the desire to fulfill or realize one’s ideals.
Adler believed in individual studies rather than group studies for easy interpretations. The theoretical assumption of this theory has yielded four groups of personalities, which include the ruling type, getting type, avoiding type, and social type. Psychologists can use these types of people to establish the reliability of the theory.
Description of the validity
Given how Adler changed his theory, it would be difficult to verify validity of the theory. This implies that psychologists must adjust their approaches to fit conditions that Adler established. In this case, it would be difficult for psychologists to use any single tool of measurement to verify the outcome of the individual psychology intervention.
In addition, it is also practically impossible to falsify individual psychological theory because of its changing strategies and several assumptions.
Description of the application of the theory
Individual psychological theory applies in individual psychotherapy, couple, brief, and family therapies. Psychologists encourage their patients to deal with their feelings of insecurity, create strong bonds, and engage in socially productive activities.
Clients are able to generate questions and answers by using Socratic dialogue. This allows clients to correct their incorrect beliefs, assumptions, behaviors, and feelings among others. Psychologists constantly engage their clients in order to overcome difficult events in their lives. In turn, therapists expect their clients to develop self-confidence, which improve their abilities to cope and cooperate. The intervention therapy aims to eliminate client’s exaggerated self-beliefs.
Description of how psychodynamic theories affect individual personalities
Psychodynamic theories focus on the mental energy as it relates to activities that affect an individual’s personalities. Specifically, the focus of psychodynamic theories has been on the relationship between emotions and the id, ego, and superego. These are critical stages in childhood development, which define an individual’s personalities.
Freud believed that ego was in conflict with the id, superego, and external environments. The id has the unconscious libido, which is an energy that controls mental processes. Ego manages aspects of an individual’s personality and controls all forms of pleasure and safety that the id requires. Still, the superego controls a person’s moral values. The superego must manage internalized values like rules and norms in society and ego ideal or one’s inner goals. On this note, one can observe that the basic psychodynamic theories concentrate on individuals’ personalities through managing the id, ego, and superego. As a result, one can understand personalities, behaviors, or psychological states in terms of inherent emotional drives.
References
Bradley, R., and Westen, D. (2005). The psychodynamics of borderline personality disorder: A view from developmental psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 17, 927–957. Web.
Feist, J., and Feist, G. (2009). Theories of personality (7th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
Svartberg, M., and Stiles, T. (1991). Comparative effects of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy: a meta-analysis. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 59(5), 704.